World Meteorological Day 2017 observed globally

23 March: World Meteorological Day

The World Meteorological Day 2017 was observed globally on 23 March 2017 with the theme 'Understanding Clouds'. The Day is organised every year by World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and is celebrated globally.

The theme highlights the enormous importance of clouds for weather climate and water. Clouds are central to weather observations and forecasts.

International Cloud Atlas
• On the occasion of World Meteorological Day 2017, WMO released its new digitized International Cloud Atlas- a global reference for observing and identifying clouds.
• The new Atlas combines 19th century traditions with 21st century technology.
• It includes new classifications including volutus, a roll cloud; clouds from human activities such as the contrail, a vapour trail sometimes produced by airplanes and asperitas, a dramatic undulated cloud which captured the public imagination.
• It also proposes five new special clouds: cataractagenitus, flammagenitus, homogenitus, silvagenitus and homomutatus.
• It contains hundreds of images submitted by meteorologists, photographers and cloud lovers from around the globe.
• It also features  other meteorological phenomena such as rainbows, halos, snow devils and hailstones.   
• The International Cloud Atlas was first published in the late 19th century.

About World Meteorological Day
• World Meteorological Day celebrates the anniversary of the convention establishing World Meteorological Organization in 1950.
• It showcases the essential contribution of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to the safety and wellbeing of society.
• It celebrates the inherent beauty and aesthetic appeal of clouds, which has inspired artists, poets, musicians, photographers and countless other enthusiasts throughout history.